eco-minded

I usually prefer to have all my gifts purchased before December starts. Some years, like this year, I’m the complete opposite, wrapping it up the week of Christmas…pun intended. hehheh.

I like my gifts to be something I can back up and feel good about. I like to give things that will be wholesome, educational, an experience or to treat someone with something they normally wouldn’t get for themselves. I try to always go with local, handmade, homemade, made in USA, and quality over quantity. This list is based on my favorite items of gifts I’ve given, wanted, received or are on my bucket lists to do any of the above.

So if you happen to still be trying to figure out a perfect gift for a loved one, I hope this gives you some ideas!

Handmade LeatherWallet-For an anniversary present for my husband I bought him a handmade leather wallet with his inititals on it, it was a huge hit, sometimes I still smell it, anyone else love the smell of leather? Unfortunately the guy I bought it from on Etsy left the business, but there’s still a great selection.

Beard Balm– As a military wife, I don’t have to worry about my husbands beard. I’m not complaining. But if you have a man that likes his facial hair, treat him with this extra special stuff. It has incredible reviews and I have lots of friends who swear by it.

Fairtrade Coffee– I feel like this is a no fail gift. If you know someone and they drink coffee, get them some extra good coffee. These make a great gift on their own or for stocking stuffers. Can also be made into a coffee lovers basket, with a french press, and a special mug. I like to find local shops and find a hand crafted mug from a local pottery. So Hygge!

Wool Socks – These wool socks have a LIFETIME warranty. They go bad, you take them in to the store and they give you a brand new pair, no questions asked. How can you go wrong. Each of our kids are getting a pair of these in their stockings this year.

Moccasins – Who doesn’t like getting a pair of wooly moccasin slippers? LL Bean and Overland Sheepskin Co. are my two favorite companies for moccasins.

Hammock – For the more outdoorsy type, this is a great gift. Folds up small, great for adventures or chilling in your yard. We purchased the Wise Owl brand over ENO and I give it a 5 star! Feels just like ENO quality for half the price.

Stainless Steel Coffee Mug – We are pretty anti plastic, but especially when it comes to things we consume. Also by using your own mug you eliminate stryofoam/paper waste, AND keep toxic plastic away from your coffee. This Yeti brand is best of the best. Though Thermos is pretty nice as well.

Copper Mugs– Not only are these great for Moscow Mules which are freaking delicious, as long as you’re 21 of course; Ayurvedic medicine says drinking out of copper has health benefits as well. As long as you’re drinking some water out of it as well and not just Moscow Mules 😉

Coppered Water Pitcher – Obviously I like copper, look at the name of my site, but this is an extra special gift, with great benefits as well, because the more you’re water sits in the copper the more it will absorb. You can read more about that here if you’re interested.

Himalayan Salt Lamps – Salt lamps purify the air by emitting negatively charged ions which cling to the postively charged dust and allergens floating in your air. Also they’re unique and pretty and emit a hygge-worthy glow. Even if they already have one, do they have one in every room? That’s what I thought.

Essential Oil Diffusers– No natural house is complete with out a diffuser or 10. I like the cool-mist variety myself.

Car Diffuser If you know someone in the car a lot, this would be a great gift.

Teflon-Free Pans – If you know someone trying to switch over to a healthier lifestyle, give the gift that feeds their whole family. Stainless steel, cast iron and stone pans are the way to go.

Essential Oil Carriers – If you have a person who uses oils, this is a fool proof gift. Lots of variety in cases. I like these handmade ones. Made from cotton-jute so their totally crunchy, and made by a small business mama.

Elkhaart Products – These products are handmade by another small business mama. She uses wholesome ingredients good enough to eat. You can see all her products on her website here, but she does most of her ordering through her facebook page here. To name a few things she makes:

Beard Balm

Sunscreen

Beeswax Candles

Custom made soap

Healing Balm

Dry Shampoo

Sugar Scrub

Body Butter

Beeswax Candles -These are a great choice for giving a homemade gift, but if homemade isn’t your thing, I love the candles made by this sweet company. With out knowing the ins and outs of making candles, this tutorial was most helpful to me. Beeswax candles are the only candles I burn in my house. They, like salt lamps, emit negatively charged ions into the air which cling to positively charged dust and allergens. They clean the air, smell like honey, and are made by an all natural/renewable source. #thankthebees

Tallow Balm – This stuff is a wonder worker. It heals sunburns, and prevents them if you put it on soon enough, speeds up healing minor cuts, and is a great facial/body moisturizer. I call it bovine botox. Yes it’s wonderful. You can make your own or purchase it.

Natural Makeup/Nail Polish – I’m still doing my own research on trying to find a makeup company that has nutrient dense makeup products that actually work. I purchased mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, eyeshadow, and a tinted concealer from this company and have been pretty impressed. I won’t say they’re the only good company because I don’t know. But they have an ingredient list you could eat. Help a girl out by giving her make up that’s good for your body.

Fair Trade/Organic Chocolate – Chocloate Lovers deserve chocolate not made with poisonous ingredients or at the expense of child labor. It’s a price worth paying for. And since it’s not empty calories you won’t need a whole pound to satisfy chocolate cravings.

Immersion Blender– I received this as a gift a few years ago and it is one of my most used tools in the kitchen. A fantastic buy!

Elliott Homestead Cookbook – If you want to eat a traditional diet, but don’t have “real-life” recipes, this cookbook is just what you need. Not only is it practical, but also probably laugh while you’re making supper.

Wool Dryer Balls – Help someone quit toxic fabric softener sheets by giving these. If you’re wondering why you should make the switch you can read up on it here.

Vitamix – Make your own nut butters, grind your own wheat, make smoothies, pates’, braunsweiger, and countless other things.

Water FiltersFor Drinking Water – If you’re not sure why you should remove the fluoride from your water here is an excellent post. This company has a great selection of water filters for different price ranges.

Family Gifts

My favorite family or group gifting ideas that I think are brilliant are memberships. Or a class to learn something new. These obviously work for individuals as well. Here are the ones I like and other group gift ideas as well.

Science Center

Imax

Zoo

Rock Climbing Gym

Painting Class

Pottery Class

Music Class

Horse Riding Lesson

Photography Class

Orpheum Theatre

Symphony Orchestra

Board Games

Gift Ideas For Kids

6 inch American Girl Dolls – these range in price from $15-30+ We don’t do barbies in our house for various reasons. And we don’t even miss them. My toddler girl loves playing with these dolls. We take them on long car rides, camping etc. They’re a hit. I also love them because with each doll I get her we learn about a different period in history.

Green Toys– I’m usually not into plastic, but I love what this company does. They are made in USA, and are made 100% from recycled milk cartons. I go to them over Melissa and Doug since M&D sold out and now manufacture their toys in China. We have their tea set. They have a nice selection of toys for boys and girls from trucks to airplanes and dish sets and baby toys.

Organic Christmas Candy Stocking Stuffers – I buy these every Christmas for our stockings. The first year we tried them even the adults couldn’t believe how good they were!

Stainless Steel Water Bottles- This is another item i’m checking off this year for our tots. Eliminate the need to buy bottled water and give your kids their own special water bottle. Plastic free, shatter proof.

Life Factory Water Bottles– I love this company. I use their baby bottles and they are *nearly* indestrucable. I also have one of these water bottles. A nother great plastic free option.

Stainless Steel Dishes – If you have kids in the house, but don’t want plastic, these are the best! We take them camping, and we use them for our every day dishes. The only thing that has destroyed one of our cups was a lawn mower. And even then it held it’s own pretty good. They will last a lifetime and can be passed on. Also if you have Laura Ingalls readers in your house, you could do a “tin” cup and a peppermint stick in their stocking! 😀

Kinetic Sand – Our kids got this a few years ago for Christmas and it is a huge hit. We keep it stored in an airtight long flat bin. And get it out when baby is sleeping. You can keep adding to it and get a little at a time as it’s a bit pricey. There are also tutorials to make your own. Just look up moon sand.

Camp Chair – For camping, fires, picniks, little kids love to have their own chair.

Play Scarves – I’ve seen these recommended countless times and wasn’t sure they’d be a hit. I actually bought play dresses at a consignment shop, and my kids like them, but I have several silky large scarves that they’ve actually confiscated and play with all the time in dress up, probably more than the dress up clothes themselves. So I now recommend these silk scarves.

Books and Book Sets Every Child should have in their library. Inspired by Living Books and Charlotte Mason

This list is of books I’ve read to my children 5 and under, and have been loved by them. It’s not an extensive list, just our personal favorites of some classics. We started reading chapter books when my oldest was 3. If they start to lose interest just stop and start up another time. Most of the time they’re begging me to go on.